Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine early Monday morning, targeting critical infrastructure across the country with over 100 missiles and 100 drones.
The attack, which occurred two and a half years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, resulted in widespread power outages and water supply disruptions, including in parts of the capital, Kyiv.
According to Ukrainian officials, at least five people were killed in the attack, which focused on energy facilities in at least 10 regions. This was one of the most intense missile and drone barrages Russia has launched in weeks.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Telegram that the attack was “just as insidious” as previous Russian strikes, targeting critical civilian infrastructure. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that 15 regions had sustained damage, while Zelensky indicated that the energy sector had suffered “significant damage.”
In response to the attack, Ukraine’s military and those of its allies were put on alert, particularly in western regions near NATO member state Poland. Moldova, whose power grid is connected to Ukraine’s, reported minor disruptions to its network.
Ukraine has been developing long-range attack drones to strike deep inside Russian territory, targeting oil refineries and military airfields. Over the weekend, Zelensky announced the development of a new “drone missile” that is more powerful and faster than existing models in Kyiv’s arsenal.
Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its forces used high-precision weapons to strike crucial energy infrastructure in Ukraine that it alleged supports the military-industrial complex.
This attack comes as Ukraine reported gains in a significant cross-border operation into Russia’s southern Kursk region, while Russian forces made incremental progress in eastern Ukraine, nearing the strategic transport hub of Pokrovsk.
